Man Arrested In Double Homicide Of Warren Couple

WARREN (WWJ) — Police have arrested a man in connection to the double homicide that occurred this afternoon in Warren. The suspect is believed to be the victims’ nephew.

Joseph Borowiak (Photo: Warren Police Department)

Police say Steven Collins, 67, and Cynthia Collins, 66, — a husband and wife — were found dead with several gunshot wounds in their home on the 23000 block of Panama Avenue on Friday. A neighbor found the victims’ dog and tried to return it to their home but after no one responded they called authorities around 2:45 p.m.

“Officers arrived and the front door was ajar, went in and found a white male and female in their 60’s deceased,” Dwyer said. “Then the investigation revealed they were husband and wife, and they died from gunshot wounds.”

Detroit Police arrested 37-year-old Joseph Borowiak around 9 p.m. on Friday at 6 Mile and Ryan Road. Detroit Police were contacted after a concerned citizen recognized the suspect from an online news article. Warren Police were contacted after the suspect was arrested and took him into custody.

“We wish to thank the alert citizen and the Detroit Police who assisted in taking this suspect into custody quickly,” Dwyer said in a statement.

A neighbor spoke with WWJ Newsradio 950’s Jon Hewett about the suspect earlier in the evening, stating he’s a nephew of the victims.

“They kept bailing him out, bailing him out, bailing him out, and when he comes off his meds he gets out there,” said Alicia, the victims’ neighbor. “He can’t tell the difference between real and pretend so he gets mad at them all the time. I went to school with him and he had issues back then too.”

Warren Police remain at the scene of double murder, husband and wife killed in their Panama Avenue home. Family member POI. Details @WWJ950pic.twitter.com/QlyKMlP1mS

Borowiak was described to be 5-foot-7 and 150 pounds with brown hair and hazel eyes. He has a right forearm cross tattoo and a left forearm skull with a grim reaper tattoo.

“We are deeply saddened by this tragic loss and our thoughts and prayers go out to the family,” Warren Police Commissioner William Dwyer said in a statement. “We believe this is not a random act, with the victims being targeted, neighbors can feel secure that this terrible loss is isolated.”

Stay with WWJ Newsradio 950 and CBS Detroit for updates as they become available.